Why Donaven McCulley switched from quarterback to Michigan football wide receiver
Michigan football has a new No. 1 receiver, both literally and figuratively. This offseason, the Wolverines brought in former Indiana quarterback and wideout Donaven McCulley, who made the switch to receiver full time two years ago while still in Bloomington. Now that he's in Ann Arbor, the 6-foot-5 pass catcher isn't just expected to be the top target for the maize and blue offense, but he also switched from wearing No. 13 to No. 1 after the spring game.
But usually, players yearn to be the man under center, with the ball in their hands every play. However, for McCulley, it made sense for him to make that switch to receiver in 2023, and he hasn't looked back.
"I grew up playing quarterback, and that was just how I was raised wanting to be the quarterback," McCulley told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches Podcast. "But as I got older, I started to grow a little more, get taller, and stuff. And I just noticed I had like really good hands and that was just something that I really wanted to do, play receiver."
Though McCulley isn't looking back in terms of wanting to throw darts around The Big House (he already did that as the IU starting QB in 2021), he is grateful that he had the opportunity. Not just because that was part of his childhood dream, but also because it helps him as a receiver.
He explained that knowing what the quarterback wants to do, how he reads the wide receiver routes, ball placement, and more, that it's helped him become better once he made the switch to pass catcher.
"It helped me a lot like with understanding where the quarterback wants me to be," McCulley said. "Coming to college, I feel like I didn't really get to experience that next level of the quarterback position because I switched so early. But just playing it like really my whole life, I just kind of understand like how the quarterback is going to throw this football or where he's going to be looking like when he scrambles out or something like that. And I think that just kind of helps build chemistry."
Fans will get an opportunity to see more of McCulley than they did in the spring game (where he had one catch on one target) come August 30 when the Wolverines host New Mexico for the season opener.
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The Danny Ainge System: Which NBA shot-callers excel on draft day?
Welcome back to The Danny Ainge System, where on Tuesday we evaluated every NBA executive's trade history, compiling a rating (or OPS) of their performance in that market. Kevin Pritchard, president of basketball operations for the reigning Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, was our leader in that regard. Today we are evaluating every NBA executive's draft history, using baseball's Sabermetrics to categorize each selection as a home run, triple, double, single, walk or strikeout. The higher the OPS, the better the GM. If you are not following, it's OK. It will make more sense as we go. Come along for the ride. (On Thursday we will evaluate every NBA executive's free-agent performance. And on Friday we will compile our findings and provide a complete picture of who is best leading his franchise into the future.) As we had with the trade ratings, there was an outlying score in the draft history portion of the System — a number of them, actually. None of the executives had made more than a handful of draft selections. Their scores would have included (by far) the best and worst of the bunch, so I felt as if it were unfair to include them in these rankings. We will still categorize their draft histories here for the overall rankings ... Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics (2021-) Draft picks: .333 OBP • .000 SLG • .333 OPS BB: Baylor Scheierman (30th, 2024) K: Juhann Begarin (45th, 2021) • Jordan Walsh (38th, 2022) Nico Harrison, Dallas Mavericks (2021-) Draft picks: .667 OBP • 1.000 SLG • 1.667 OPS 2B: Dereck Lively II (12th, 2023) 1B: Jaden Hardy (37th, 2022) K: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (24th, 2023) Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers (2021-) Draft picks (OBP: 1.000 • SLG: 1.000 • OPS: 2.000) 1B: Shaedon Sharpe (7th, 2022) • Scoot Henderson (3rd, 2023) • Donovan Clingan (7th, 2024) BB: Kris Murray (23rd, 2023) • Rayan Rupert (43rd, 2023) Mike Dunleavy, Golden State Warriors (2023-) Draft picks: 1.000 OBP • 1.000 SLG • 2.000 OPS 1B: Brandin Podziemski (19th, 2023) BB: Trayce Jackson-Davis (57th, 2023) • Quinten Post (52nd, 2024) Michael Winger, Washington Wizards (2023-) Draft picks: 1.000 OBP • 1.000 SLG • 2.000 OPS 1B: Bilal Coulibaly (7th, 2023) • Alex Sarr (2nd, 2024) • Bub Carrington (14th, 2024) BB: Tristan Vukčević (42nd, 2023) • Kyshawn George (24th, 2024) Have a feel for what you're looking at now? Every draft pick is categorized as a hit, a walk or a strikeout. How much power each exec hit for depends on how impactful the player became. But as a general rule ... HR: A face of the franchise 3B: A star-level talent 2B: A rotation regular 1B: A moderate success BB: A marginal move K: A relative bust For this exercise we removed picks 46-60, unless, of course, one of them reach base, in which case the executive gets credit for a walk or a hit. Otherwise, those picks have become too much of a crapshoot. We didn't want to penalize an executive for an almost impossible ask, but we did need to create a cutoff somewhere, so we included the first half of the second round, even if a bunch of those are whiffs, too. Even late first-round picks are more difficult than those in the lottery. It's just the nature of the game. San Antonio Spurs general manager Brian Wright lucked into the Victor Wembanyama pick, just as Juan Soto checked his swing into a home run, and then lucked into the No. 2 pick again in June. It is too early to tell whether Dylan Harper will carry the same power, so we removed this year's picks from the System. A quick reminder: Newcomers Jeff Peterson (Charlotte Hornets), Trajan Langdon (Detroit Pistons), Ben Tenzer (Denver Nuggets), Onsi Saleh (Atlanta Hawks), Scott Perry (Sacramento Kings), Brian Gregory (Phoenix Suns) and Bobby Webster (Toronto Raptors) do not have sample sizes big enough to evaluate. Let's get to the rankings. Ladies and gentlemen, The Danny Ainge System: Draft History. 18. Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks (2017-) Draft picks: .286 OBP • .167 SLG • .453 OPS 1B: Donte DiVincenzo (17th, 2018) BB: Tyler Smith (33rd, 2024) K: D.J. Wilson (17th, 2017) • Jordan Nwora (45th, 2020) • MarJon Beauchamp (24th, 2022) • Andre Jackson Jr. (36th, 2023) • AJ Johnson (23rd, 2024) That's just a tough draft history. No way around it. Especially considering the Bucks parted ways with Donte DiVincenzo, Horst's only successful draft pick, in exchange for an aging Serge Ibaka, before the Villanova product even reached his second contract. Milwaukee could sure use a player like that right now — or anyone from the last eight years out of the draft who could assist Giannis Antetokounmpo. 17. Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers (2019-) Draft picks: .833 OBP • .000 SLG • .833 OPS BB: Talen Horton-Tucker (46th, 2019) • Max Christie (35th, 2022) • Maxwell Lewis (40th, 2023) • Dalton Knecht (17th, 2024) • Bronny James (55th, 2024) K: Jalen Hood-Schifino (17th, 2023) Maybe it's a good thing if the Lakers trade away all of their draft picks. Here's rooting for Bronny James. 16. Kevin Pritchard, Indiana Pacers (2017-) Draft picks: .476 OBP • .471 SLG • .947 OPS 2B: Nicolas Batum (25th, 2008) • Andrew Nembhard (31st, 2022) 1B: Rudy Fernandez (24th, 2007) • Dante Cunningham (33rd, 2009) • Bennedict Mathurin (6th, 2022) • Ben Sheppard (26th, 2023) BB: Josh McRoberts (37th, 2007) • Patty Mills (55th, 2009) • Aaron Holiday (23rd, 2018) • Johnny Furphy (35th, 2024) K: Greg Oden (1st, 2007) • Petteri Koponen (30th, 2007) • Victor Claver (22nd, 2009) • Jeff Ayres (31st, 2009) • Luke Babbitt (16th, 2010) • Elliot Williams (22nd, 2010) • Armon Johnson (34th, 2010) • T.J. Leaf (18th, 2017) • Goga Bitadze (18th, 2019) • Chris Duarte (13th, 2021) • Isaiah Jackson (22nd, 2021) (Pritchard served as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-2010.) Man, that Greg Oden pick looms large. A bunch of general managers would have made the same selection, but some — including Ainge — claim they would have drafted Kevin Durant ahead of Oden. At any rate, Pritchard has finally connected on some recent draft picks. No doubt Andrew Nembhard could turn his double into a triple, especially in the absence of an injured Tyrese Haliburton. Same goes for Benn Mathurin and Ben Sheppard, both of whom could turn singles into doubles. Mathurin might even be there already, given his occasionally outstanding impact in the playoffs. Johnny Furphy might be able to leg out a single, too. Good things are happening for the Pacers, despite the Haliburton news. 15. Lawrence Frank, Los Angeles Clippers (2017-) Draft picks: .333 OBP • .625 SLG • .958 OPS HR: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11th, 2018) 1B: Terance Mann (18th, 2019) BB: Moussa Diabaté (43rd, 2022) K: Jerome Robinson (13th, 2018) • Mfiondu Kabengele (27th, 2019) • Daniel Oturu (33rd, 2020) • Keon Johnson (21st, 2021) • Jason Preston (33rd, 2021) • Kobe Brown (30th, 2023) Give credit to Lawrence Frank for identifying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2018 draft, though he traded the Canadian before he became a superstar in Oklahoma City. We still granted Frank a homer. Other than that, though — and SGA might have been more of a double for L.A. than a home run — Frank's draft history is a rough scene. Then again, he has only twice drafted in the lottery and once took a future MVP. Maybe the draft is more of a coin flip than we even thought. 14. Joe Dumars, Detroit (2000-2014) • New Orleans Pelicans (2025-) Draft picks: .500 OBP • .565 SLG • 1.065 OPS 2B: Tayshaun Prince (23rd, 2002) • Andre Drummond (9th, 2012) 1B: Mehmet Okur (38th, 2001) • Carlos Delfino (25th, 2003) • Amir Johnson (56th, 2005) • Rodney Stuckey (15th, 2007) • Arron Afflalo (27th, 2007) • Jonas Jerebko (39th, 2009) • Greg Monroe (7th, 2010) • Khris Middleton (39th, 2012) • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (8th, 2013) BB: Brian Cardinal (44th, 2000) K: Mateen Cleaves (14th, 2000) • Rodney White (9th, 2001) • Darko Miličić (2nd, 2003) • Jason Maxiell (26th, 2005) • Walter Sharpe (32nd, 2008) • Austin Daye (15th, 2009) • DaJuan Summers (35th, 2009) • Terrico White (36th, 2010) • Brandon Knight (8th, 2011) • Kyle Singler (33rd, 2011) • Kim English (44th, 2012) • Tony Mitchell (37th, 2013) (Dumars served as general manager of the Detroit Pistons from 2000-2014.) Dumars drafted Tayshaun Prince to a championship core and selected Andre Drummond, a two-time All-Star who never meaningfully impacted winning in Detroit. Outside of that, he failed to hit for any power for long stretches of his career, including the 2003 selection of Darko Miličić, a historic strikeout at No. 2 overall. What Detroit might have been with Carmelo Anthony instead is an all-time barroom debate. This does not include Dumars' 2025 selections of Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Queen, in particular, became the subject of much surprise around the league — not because he was taken in the lottery but because New Orleans gave up its unprotected 2026 first-round pick to get him. It may have been the single-most confounding trade of the offseason, but it goes unrecorded in our ledger, as the picks this summer are too fresh to evaluate. The Pelicans have invested this entire season into Queen. No pressure. 13. Artūras Karnišovas, Chicago Bulls (2020-) Draft picks: .500 OBP • .600 SLG • 1.100 OPS 2B: Matas Buzelis (11th, 2024) 1B: Ayo Dosunmu (38th, 2021) K: Patrick Williams (4th, 2020) • Marko Simonovic (44th, 2020) • Dalen Terry (18th, 2022) BB: Julian Philips (35th, 2023) That Patrick Williams pick is not going to help his cause. Matas Buzelis might, and Noa Essengue, this year's lottery pick, is coming, too. This score could get a lot better or a lot worse for Karnišovas soon. 12. Pat Riley, Miami Heat (1995-) Draft picks: .438 OBP • .774 SLG • 1.212 OPS HR: Dwyane Wade (5th, 2003) • Bam Adebayo (14th, 2017) 3B: Caron Butler (10th, 2002) • Tyler Herro (13th, 2019) 2B: Josh Richardson (40th, 2015) 1B: Eddie House (37th, 2000) • Rasual Butler (53rd, 2002) • Dorell Wright (19th, 2004) • Mario Chalmers (34th, 2008) • Nikola Jovic (27th, 2022) • Jaime Jaquez Jr. (18th, 2023) • Kel'el Ware (15th, 2024) • Pelle Larson (44th, 2024) BB: Precious Achiuwa (20th, 2020) K: Martin Müürsepp (25th, 1996) • Charles Smith (26th, 1997) • Mark Smith (31st, 1997) • Tim James (25th, 1999) • Jerome Beasley (33rd, 2003) • Albert Miralles (39th, 2004) • Wayne Simien (29th, 2005) • Daequan Cook (21st, 2007) • Michael Beasley (2nd, 2008) • Patrick Beverley (42nd, 2009) • Dexter Pittman (32nd, 2010) • Jarvis Varnado (41st, 2010), Da'Sean Butler (42nd, 2010) • Norris Cole (28th, 2011) • Justin Hamilton (45th, 2012) • Shabazz Napier (24th, 2014) • Justise Winslow (10th, 2015) • KZ Okpala (32nd, 2019) Riley drafted Dwyane Wade, a franchise icon, which warrants a long career. He extended it with his work on the trade market and in free agency. He also drafted Bam Adebayo, the backbone of two more trips to the NBA Finals. He has hit a couple triples, a double and a bunch of singles. He has a rich draft history. But you would expect a little more success from someone who is 30 years into this gig. There were a lot of whiffs late in the first round and early in the second round. There were some big swings and misses, too, when it came to Michael Beasley and Justise Winslow. If only Riley had taken Ainge up on his offer of a handful of first-round draft picks for Winslow, the two archrivals might be flipped in these rankings. 11. Leon Rose, New York Knicks (2020-) Draft picks: .667 OBP • .667 SLG • 1.333 OPS 2B: Immanuel Quickley (25th, 2020) 1B: Quentin Grimes (25th, 2021) • Miles McBride (36th, 2021) BB: Pacôme Dadiet (25th, 2024) • Tyler Kolek (34th, 2024) • Ariel Hukporti (58th, 2024) K: Obi Toppin (8th, 2020) • Rokas Jokubaitis (34th, 2021) • Trevor Keels (42nd, 2022) If only Rose had held onto Obi Toppin, he might have ended up with another single. As it is, he had to watch as Toppin contributed as a member of the Pacers to his team's defeat in the conference finals. Note, too, that Toppin was the only player taken higher than 25th by Rose, and Rose gave up too early on his best opportunity at success in the draft. It is good to know, though, that it is possible to be successful without much success in the draft, as the Knicks are in decent shape despite their difficult draft history. 10. Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic (2017-) Draft picks: .500 OBP • .929 SLG • 1.429 OPS HR: Paolo Banchero (1st, 2022) 3B: Franz Wagner (8th, 2021) 2B: Jalen Suggs (5th, 2021) 1B: Jonathan Isaac (6th, 2017) • Cole Anthony (15th, 2020) • Anthony Black (6th, 2023) • Tristan da Silva (18th, 2024) K: Mo Bamba (6th, 2018) • Wes Iwundu (33rd, 2018) • Melvin Frazier (35th, 2018) • Justin Jackson (43rd, 2018) • Chuma Okeke (16th, 2019) • Caleb Houstan (32nd, 2022) • Jett Howard (11th, 2023) The Magic have perennially picked one selection too late in the draft, often just missing elite prospects. But in back-to-back years Weltman dug himself out of a slump, taking Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in successive drafts, forming the foundation of what should be a 50-win team this year. 9. Koby Altman, Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-) Draft picks: .444 OBP • 1.000 SLG • 1.444 OPS HR: Evan Mobley (3rd, 2021) 3B: Darius Garland (5th, 2019) 1B: Collin Sexton (8th, 2018) BB: Jaylon Tyson (20th, 2024) K: Dylan Windler (26th, 2019) • Kevin Porter Jr. (30th, 2019) • Isaac Okoro (5th, 2020) • Ochai Agbaji (14th, 2022) • Khalifa Diop (39th, 2022) Altman did not miss on his top-five picks, and the Cavaliers are benefiting from that power, as Evan Mobley and Darius Garland formed a partnership that was worthy of investing into Donovan Mitchell (and vice versa). Together they formed a 64-win team that unfortunately lost in the second round of the playoffs, but the East is shallow, and the Cavs are expected to be the cream of the crop again next season. There is hope in Cleveland again, as the Cavaliers will go as far as Mobley and Garland take them. 8. Sean Marks, Brooklyn Nets (2016-) Draft picks: .636 OBP • .875 SLG • 1.511 OPS 3B: Jarrett Allen (22nd, 2017) 2B: Nic Claxton (31st, 2019) 1B: Caris LeVert (20th, 2016) • Cam Thomas (27th, 2021) BB: Isaiah Whitehead (42nd, 2016) • Rodion Kurucs (40th, 2018) • Kessler Edwards (44th, 2021) K: Džanan Musa (29th, 2018) • Day'Ron Sharpe (29th, 2021) • Noah Clowney (21st, 2023) • Dariq Whitehead (22nd, 2023) Marks has done a decent job in the draft despite never having a pick higher than No. 20. That changed this year, when the Nets picked eighth (Egor Demin) before also selecting 19th (Nolan Traore), 22nd (Drake Powell), 26th (Ben Saraf) and 27th (Danny Wolf). That is a lot of at-bats for one summer. 7. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-) Draft picks: .514 OBP • 1.065 SLG • 1.579 OPS HR: Kevin Durant (2nd, 2007) • Russell Westbrook (4th, 2008) • James Harden (3rd, 2009) • Jalen Williams (12th, 2022) 3B: Serge Ibaka (24th, 2008) • Chet Holmgren (2nd, 2022) 2B: Reggie Jackson (24th, 2011) • Steven Adams (12th, 2013) • Cason Wallace (10th, 2023) 1B: Andre Roberson (26th, 2013) • Cameron Payne (14th, 2015) • Josh Giddey (6th, 2021) • Aaron Wiggins (55th, 2021) • Jaylin Williams (34th, 2022) BB: Hamidou Diallo (45th, 2018) • Ousmane Dieng (11th, 2022) • Nikola Topic (12th, 2024) • Ajay Mitchell (38th, 2024) K: D.J. White (29th, 2008) • Kyle Weaver (38th, 2008) • B.J. Mullens (24th, 2009) • Cole Aldrich (11th, 2010) • Tibor Pleiß (31st, 2010) • Perry Jones (28th, 2012) • Álex Abrines (32nd, 2013) • Grant Jerrett (40th, 2013) • Mitch McGary (21st, 2014) • Josh Huestis (29th, 2014) • Terrance Ferguson (21st, 2017) • Darius Bazley (23rd, 2019) • Aleksej Pokusevski (17th, 2020) • Vit Krejci (37th, 2020) • Tre Mann (18th, 2021) • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (32nd, 2021) • Dillon Jones (26th, 2024) It is a thing of beauty looking at this stat sheet. Four home runs, including Jalen Williams, who, as the second-best player on a championship team, deserves that status. That run of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden will never be matched. But it just goes to show you: When you are in this business a long enough time, there are bound to be a lot of swings and misses, especially when you are so often selecting late in the first round. 6. Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers (2020-) Draft picks: .682 OBP • .952 SLG • 1.634 OPS 3B: Tyrese Maxey (21st, 2020) 2B: Chandler Parsons (38th, 2011) • Clint Capela (25th, 2014) • Montrezl Harrell (32nd, 2015) • Jared McCain (16th, 2024) 1B: Aaron Brooks (26th, 2007) • Chase Budinger (44th, 2009) • Patrick Patterson (14th, 2010) • Marcus Morris (14th, 2011) • Donatas Motiejunas (20th, 2011) • Terrence Jones (18th, 2012) • Jeremy Lamb (12th, 2012) • Isaiah Hartenstein (43rd, 2017) • Paul Reed (58th, 2020) BB: Adem Bona (41st, 2024) K: Jermaine Taylor (32nd, 2009) • Sergio Llull (34th, 2009) • Royce White (16th, 2012) • Isaiah Canaan (34th, 2013) • Sam Dekker (18th, 2015) • Chinanu Onuaku (37th, 2016) • Jaden Springer (28th, 2021) (Morey served as general manager of the Houston Rockets from 2007-2020.) Morey does not get enough credit for his success in the draft, where, among others, he identified Tyrese Maxey, arguably the team's best player now (unfortunately). There's just not a lot of whiffs over a career as long as his. Even on the misses you can see the talent he was chasing. Smart guy, that Daryl Morey. 5. Tim Connelly, Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-) Draft picks: .652 OBP • 1.056 SLG • 1.708 OPS HR: Nikola Jokić (41st, 2014) • Jamal Murray (7th, 2016) 2B: Gary Harris (19th, 2014) • Jusuf Nurkić (16th, 2014) • Michael Porter Jr. (14th, 2018) 1B: Malik Beasley (19th, 2016) • Monte Morris (51st, 2017) • Jarred Vanderbilt (41st, 2018) • Rob Dillingham (8th, 2024) • Terrence Shannon Jr. (27th, 2024) BB: Juan Hernangómez (15th, 2016) • Vlatko Čančar (49th, 2017) • Bol Bol (44th, 2019) • Zeke Nnaji (22nd, 2020) • Jaylen Clark (53rd, 2023) K: Erick Green (46th, 2013) • Emmanuel Mudiay (7th, 2015) • Tyler Lydon (24th, 2017) • R.J. Hampton (24th, 2020) • Bones Hyland (26th, 2021) • Wendell Moore Jr. (26th, 2022) • Josh Minott (45th, 2022) • Leonard Miller (33rd, 2023) (Connelly served as general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2013-2022.) That Jokić pick was so much of a grand slam, I think it's still going. Connelly identified a ton of talent in the draft for the Nuggets, including Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., or most of the core of Denver's 2023 championship team. Minnesota is hoping he can do the same for the Timberwolves, who could use some affordable talent on their books. Both Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon showed promise last season, and rookie Joan Beringer joins them this summer. The sooner any of them develops, the more we can accept the Wolves as legitimate title contenders. 4. Danny Ainge, Utah Jazz (2021-) Draft picks: .674 OBP • .1.147 SLG • 1.821 OPS HR: Rajon Rondo (21st, 2006) • Jaylen Brown (3rd, 2016) • Jayson Tatum (3rd, 2017) 3B: Al Jefferson (15th, 2004) • Marcus Smart (6th, 2014) 2B: Kendrick Perkins (27th, 2003) • Tony Allen (25th, 2004) • Avery Bradley (19th, 2010) • Terry Rozier (16th, 2015) • Robert Williams III (27th, 2018) • Walker Kessler (22nd, 2022) 1B: Delonte West (24th, 2004) • Ryan Gomes (50th, 2005) • Leon Powe (49th, 2006) • Glen Davis (35th, 2007) • Jared Sullinger (21st, 2012) • Kelly Olynyk (13th, 2013) • Semi Ojeleye (37th, 2017) • Grant Williams (22nd, 2019) • Payton Pritchard (26th, 2020) BB: Gerald Green (18th, 2005) • Guerschon Yabusele (16th, 2016) • Aaron Nesmith (14th, 2020) • Taylor Hendricks (9th, 2023) • Keyonte George (16th, 2023) • Brice Sensabaugh (28th, 2023) • Cody Williams (10th, 2024) • Isaiah Collier (29th, 2024) • Kyle Filipowski (32nd, 2024) K: Marcus Banks (13th, 2003) • Justin Reed (40th, 2004) • Gabe Pruitt (32nd, 2007) • J.R. Giddens (30th, 2008) • JaJuan Johnson (27th, 2011) • Fab Melo (22nd, 2012) • James Young (17th, 2014) • R.J. Hunter (28th, 2015) • Jordan Mickey (33rd, 2015) • Marcus Thornton (45th, 2015) • Ante Zizic (23rd, 2016) • Demetrius Jackson (45th, 2016) • Romeo Langford (14th, 2019) • Carsen Edwards (33rd, 2019) (Ainge served as general manager of the Boston Celtics from 2003-2021.) Another thing of beauty. Man, look at all that action. No wonder we called this The Danny Ainge System. He drafted players to two different championship teams in Boston and consistently raked for 20 seasons. There are a lot of recent draft picks hanging in the balance here as walks — from 2023 (Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh) to 2024 (Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski) — and that does not include this year's selections, Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. Two years from now, Ainge could have a very different score here — or an even better one, as he attempts to build a legacy in Utah. 3. Zach Kleiman, Memphis Grizzlies (2019-) Draft picks: .692 OBP • 1.154 SLG • 1.846 OPS HR: Ja Morant (2nd, 2019) 3B: Desmond Bane (30th, 2020) 2B: Santi Aldama (30th, 2021) 1B: Brandon Clarke (21st, 2019) • Xavier Tillman (35th, 2020) • Vince Williams Jr. (47th, 2022) • GG Jackson (45th, 2023) • Zach Edey (9th, 2024) • Jaylen Wells (39th, 2024) K: Ziaire Williams (10th, 2021) • Jake LaRavia (19th, 2022) • David Roddy (23rd, 2022) • Kennedy Chandler (38th, 2022) Ja Morant has come with ups and downs, but when he is healthy and engaged, he is the face of a 50-win team and an absolute superstar. He is a home run, even if anyone would have taken him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2019. You can only make the picks that are in front of you, and Morant was a good one. Kleiman has proven to be one of the league's best talent evaluators. Which is why it should have given Grizzlies fans great confidence when he proactively traded up for Cedric Coward at this year's No. 11 pick. If The Danny Ainge System has taught us anything, it's that there's a high likelihood Coward will be good. 2. Brian Wright, San Antonio Spurs (2019-) Draft picks: .636 OBP • .1.250 SLG • 1.886 OPS HR: Victor Wembanyama (1st, 2023) 3B: Stephon Castle (4th, 2024) 2B: Devin Vassell (11th, 2020) 1B: Jeremy Sochan (9th, 2022) BB: Tre Jones (41st, 2020) • Sidy Cissoko (44th, 2023) • Juan Núñez (36th, 2024) K: Joshua Primo (12th, 2021) • Joe Wieskamp (41st, 2021) • Malaki Branham (20th, 2022) • Blake Wesley (25th, 2022) It helps, of course, to luck into a generational superstar, and Victor Wembanyama is that. A No. 1 pick can make a general manager's career, as it can a coach. Just ask Gregg Popovich, who drafted Tim Duncan to the Spurs and reaped the rewards for a couple of decades. Wright's legacy will be written by Wembanyama. Popovich had to identify Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in the draft, too, in order to build a dynasty. The Spurs will hope Wright found similar complementary stars from a rebuild, whether Stephon Castle builds on his Rookie of the Year campaign or one of this year's lottery picks, Dylan Harper or Carter Bryant, develops into a star. Wright has set San Antonio up for success. Bet on the Spurs in the coming years. 1. Rafael Stone, Houston Rockets (2020-) Draft picks: .700 OBP • 1.222 SLG • 1.922 OPS 3B: Alperen Şengün (16th, 2021) • Amen Thompson (4th, 2023) 2B: Jalen Green (2nd, 2021) 1B: KJ Martin (52nd, 2020) • Jabari Smith Jr. (3rd, 2022) • Tari Eason (17th, 2022) BB: Reed Sheppard (3rd, 2024) K: Usman Garuba (23rd, 2021) • Josh Christopher (24th, 2021) • Cam Whitmore (20th, 2023) There is a reason the Rockets were ready for Kevin Durant. Stone has drafted so well the Rockets have developed from what was a 17-win team when he took over to a 52-win No. 2 seed this past season — all on the backs of a handful of high-end draft picks, including All-Star center Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, who at age 22 may be as likely to develop into a home run as anyone in the league right now. The Rockets were so good last season they decided they were one piece away from more serious title contention. They believed Jalen Green, their No. 2 overall pick in 2021, was not that one piece, so they flipped him for Durant, who could be the guy. It was a bet against Green's potential as a home run. Stone's draft record has benefited from four consecutive selections in the top five of the first round, though one of those picks, Reed Sheppard, remains a mystery. If Sheppard hits, there is a real chance that when we update this list a year or two from now, Stone's score could be even higher. As it is, he is the best around, and the Rockets are among the league's championship favorites as a direct result.
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- Yahoo
Lions injury updates: Terrion Arnold still battling hamstring, could return next week
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold will not take part in joint practices against the Miami Dolphins this week as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but the team is not yet worried about his availability for the season opener. Arnold has not practiced since he pulled a hamstring in the Lions' intrasquad scrimmage July 29. Lions coach Dan Campbell said before practice Wednesday he is "shooting for next week" in Arnold's return. Initially, the Lions hoped Arnold would return last week. The Lions open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Green Bay Packers. "He's getting better," Campbell said. "He's doing more every day, but I don't see him being able to go through these practices." Arnold started 15 games and had 10 pass deflections for the Lions last season and is expected to play a key role this fall in a secondary that already has suffered injury losses this summer. Vaki, Hassanein return Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw will miss the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, backup Khalil Dorsey remains on the physically unable to perform list as he returns from a broken leg and safeties Dan Jackson is on injured reserve and out for the year. Campbell said rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein will take part in practice after leaving early Monday to be evaluated for a leg injury. "It was just a little bit of a scare," Campbell said. And running back Sione Vaki is expected back for position drills and some team drills after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury. "When you can't practice it's always a setback, especially when he's only had very days to where he was in," Campbell said. "But it is what it is and that's behind you and you got to call this Day 1, what are you going to do about it? So it's just good to get him back on the grass." Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions injury updates: Terrion Arnold out, Vaki, Hassanein return
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Michigan reveals new menu items for 2025 home football games
With Michigan football's season-opener against New Mexico less than three weeks away, Sodexo and Michigan Athletics have revealed new menu items for fans to enjoy at The Big House this upcoming fall. In addition to normal sporting event options like hot dogs, pretzels and nachos, fans in attendance can enjoy a plethora of new options for the Wolverines' six upcoming home games. Here's a list of options available in Michigan Stadium. RETAIL MENU The following eight items will be available on the concourse to fans at Michigan Stadium with plans to include them in a local eats-themed concession stand. Mitten Burger & FriesMichigan's favorite olive burger with house-made cheddar–olive spread Chicken & Waffle BowlBlueberry–cinnamon glazed tempura chicken bites in crispy waffle bowl Footlong CurrywurstDearborn knockwurst on a footlong bun with curried ketchup, tart apple slaw, crispy potato sticks Chicken ShawarmaShawarma-spiced grilled chicken with Moroccan cucumber relish in warm naan, served with za'atar kettle chips Cherry BombChicken meatball with curried apple and cherry gastrique Founders Brat1/3-pound jumbo brat, maple mustard, tart apple relish, crispy pickle–jalapeño mix Beef Barbacoa TortaModelo-braised beef barbacoa with pickled red onions and crumbled Mexican cheese Loaded Funnel CakeDusted with cinnamon sugar, drizzled in cherry–chocolate sauce, topped with maize-and-blue sprinkles and fried apple chips CLUB MENU These items will make their debut in the Jack Roth Stadium Club, branded as 'A2 Chicken' and 'Stacked,' referring to the tenders and burger options, respectively. Classic Chicken TendersNashville Hot Tenders Woodson Whiskey StackedWoodson bourbon whiskey, American cheese, applewood bacon, roasted garlic aioli The Classic StackedAmerican cheese, secret sauce, pickles Truffle Parmesan Fries SUITE MENU The Michigan Stadium suites sections are getting an infusion of new flavors, from hors d'oeuvres, desserts and more. Bloody Mary Deviled EggsCage-free eggs with tomato, horseradish, Old Bay, celery salt, spicy pickle chip Smoked Salmon DipHouse-smoked salmon, lemon dill cream cheese, bagel chips, cucumbers, watermelon radish, crackers, crostini Mediterranean Mezze PlatterBaba ghanoush, harissa hummus, roasted carrot dip, grilled pitaVegan, gluten-free Bazaar Michigan Baby CarrotsEl honout spice, lemon za'atar herb yogurt, Michigan cherries Chorizo Skillet Queso FundidoCreamy queso blanco, chorizo, green chile, maize, blue chips Wild Michigan Mushroom & Blackeye Pea BurgerVegan Fuji Apple BuckleBourbon-soaked roasted apple cobbler with spiced crumb topping Root Beer FloatsVanilla bean ice cream and Barq's root beer in frosty mugs
